Tractor-trailer truck



Ocic,I 23, 1962 c. s. scHRoEDER TRACTOR-TRAILER TRUCK Filed' Deo.

IN VEN TOR.

Oct. 23, 1962 C, 5 SCHRQEDER 3,059,795

TRACTOR-TRAILER TRUCK Filed Dec. 17, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 EN TOR.CHALe-s S SCA/,9060493 Oct, 23, 1962 c. s. scHRoEDER 3,059,795

TRACTOR-TRAILER TRUCK 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Deo. 17, 1959 INVENTOR CHayes 5. Sc moeae-Q f-EQS Patented Oct. 23, 1962 3,659,795TRACTOR-TRAILER TRUCK Charles S. Schroeder', Villanova, Pa., assigner toThe Yale and Towne Manufacturing Company, Stamford, Conn., a corporationof Connecticut Filed Dec. 17, 1959, Ser. No. 869,269 4- Clairns. (Cl.214-730) This invention relates to a tractor-trailer truck of a type inwhich the front end of the trailer is pivotally supported on the rearend of the tractor by a fth wheel connection.

In order to align or otherwise orient the rear end of the trailer of aconventional truck of this type with a loading platform, railway car, orthe like it is necessary to maneuver the trailer into the desiredposition by operation of the tractor. Where the space for operating thetractor is limited and the tractor must be accurately spotted ororiented it may `be necessary to operate the tractor alternately in theforward and reverse directions many times while constantly manipulatingthe steering wheel of the tractor to change the angle between thetractor and the trailer so as to steer the trailer in the properdirection during rearward movement. Such maneuvering of the trailer toobtain the desired orientation by operation of the tractor isnecessarily time consuming and tedious.

The present invention provides a tractor-trailer truck constructionwhereby the angular position of the trailer relatively to the tractormay be quickly changed by swinging the trailer relatively to the tractorwithout movement or operation of the tractor. Thus, the trailer may beroughly spotted relatively to a loading platform, railway car, or thelike by operation of the tractor in thc conventional manner, and thetrailer then quickly and accurately spotted by swinging the trailerrelatively to the tractor to obtain the desired orientation of thetraile without further operation or movement of the truck.

In accordance with the invention, the connecting structure of thetrailer for connecting the trailer to the fifth wheel of the tractor isformed in two parts pivotally connected together. Gne part forms aportion of the trailer, while the other part is adapted to be pivotallyconnected to the fifth wheel of the tractor. Ram` means are securedbetween the two parts. During normal operation of the truck the rammeans serve to hold the two parts against pivotal movement relatively toone another so that the two parts function as an integral unit and thetrailer may be maneuvered in the conventional manner by operation of thetractor. When it is desired to accurately spot or orient the trailer,the ram means are operated to effect pivotal movement between the twoparts to thereby swing the trailer relatively to the tractor to obtainthe desired orientation of the trailer without operation of the tractor.

While the invention may be advantageously applied to various types oftractor and trailer trucks, the invention is particularly useful intractor-trailer trucks in which the trailer incorporates a liftingarrangement for elevating and laterally moving large containers, and theinvention is described hereafter by reference to such a truck.

It is quite common for manufacturers of various products to ship theirproducts in very large containers, comparable in size to that of highwaycargo trailers. Such containers are loaded at the factory and carriedthroughout the country on railway flat cars. The use of a truckconstructed in accordance with the present invention and incorporating alifting mechanism permits such containers to be quickly and accuratelyspotted on the railway dat In spotting the container on the ilat car,the container is elevated above the surface of the car and the trailerbacked up until the wheels and frame of the trailer extend under theflat car and the container is spotted roughly over the flat car. Thecontainer is then accurately aligned longitudinally of the flat car byoperation of the ram means of the invention and lowered on to the Hatcar.

The invention having been broadly described a more detailed descriptionof one embodiment is given hereafter by reference to the accompanyingdrawings wherein;

FIG. l is a side elevational view of a truck constructed in accordancewith the present invention showing the truck lbacked over a railwaytrack preparatory to placing a large container on a railway fiat car.

FIG. 2 is a top plan View of the truck shown in FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is a partial plan view of the truck of FlG. l showing the rammeans of the invention in centered position holding the two parts of theconnecting structure against relative pivotal movement so that the twoparts function as an integral unit, and the trailer may be maneuvered inthe conventional manner by operation of the tractor, and

FIG. 4 is a partial plan view of the truck showing the ram meansoperated to effect relative pivotal movement between the connectingparts of the trailer to swing the trailer relatively to the tractor toaccurately spot a load carried thereby relatively to a dat car, or thelike, without operation or movement of the tractor.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. l, the tractor isgenerally designated by the reference numeral 10, and the trailer isgenerally designated by the reference numeral 11.

The tractor 10 is of conventional construction and includes a fth wheel12 which is adapted to receive a conventional pivot pin 13 secured tothe trailer 11, whereby the trailer is secured to the tractor forpivotal movement relatively to the tractor in the conventional manner.

In accordance with the invention the connecting structure of the traileris formed of two parts pivotally connected together. As ybest shown inFIGS. l and 2, one part, generally designated by the reference numeral14, includes a bearing plate 15 to which the pivot pin 13 is secured,and is therefore adapted to be pivotally connected to the fifth wheel 12by means of the pivot pin 13. The other part, generally designated byreference numeral 16, includes upper and lower frame work members 17 and18 which form an integral part of the remainder of the trailer.

The two parts 14 and 1d are pivotally connected together by a verticallyextending pin or shaft 19 which extends through center portions of theframe work members 17 and 18 and is suitably journalled for rotation invertically spaced arms 2i) and 21 of a vertically extending clevis4member 22. The clevis member 22 is rigidly secured to the bearing plate15 of the part 14. Thus the part 16 and the remainder of the trailer maybe pivoted around the axis of the pin .19 relatively to the part 14, ormay be pivoted with part `14 relatively to the tractor 10 around theaxis of the pivot pin ,13 if the parts 1li and 16 are locked together.

The parts 14 and `16 are adapted to be either locked together, orpivoted relatively to one another by `a pair of rams 23 'and 24. Asshown in FIGS. l and 2, the rams 23 and 24 are pivotally connected toopposite sides of the lower frame member 18, and their piston rods 23aand 24a are pivotally secured to a reinforced plate 25 which is rigidlysecured to the clevis member 22 and the bearing plate 15. By holding therams 23 and 24 in center position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the parts14 and 16 are `locked together so that the parts 14 and 16 function asan integral unit and the trailer 11 may be maneuvered in theconventional manner by operation and movement of the tractor 10 to swingthe trailer 11 around the pivot pin 13.

When, however, it is desired to quickly and accurately spot or orientthe trailer lift relatively to a loading platform, railway car, or thelike, the rams 23 and 24 may be opera-ted to extend tbe piston rod ofone ram and retract tbe piston rod of tbe other ram as shown in FIG. 4.This results in swinging tbe trailer to tbe right or left relatively totbe tractor without operating or moving the tractor lil. Thus -by firstlocking the rams 23 and 24 in center position, the trailer may bemaneuvered into approximate position -fby operation and movement of thetractor in the conventional manner, and the trailer then accuratelyspotted by operation of the rams 23 and 24 to swing tbe trailer into tbeprecise position desired.

When the truck is to be used in spotting large containers, `or tootherwise Imanipulate large containers, the trailer may advantageouslyinclude a container lifting structure, as best shown in FIGS. l and 2.

Referring to FIGS. l and 2, the lifting structure is of a type used onconventional industrial trucks, `and includes vertically extendedchannel uprigbts 26 and 27 on which a load carriage 28 is mounted forvertical movement by means of rollers 29 and 30 which extend into thechannels of the uprigbts. The load carriage 23 is adapted to be elevatedon the uprights 26 and 27 by means of rams 3l and 32 (FIG. 2) in theconventional manner.

A pair of load supporting forks 33 and 34 are mounted on the loadcarriage 23 for transverse movement relative to tbe load carriage bymeans of rollers 35 which are secured to tbe upper ends of tbe forks 33and 34- and extend into an upper, transversely extending channel guide36 which is secured to tbe load carriage 28, `and by means of rollers 37which are secured to tbe lower backside of the forks 33 and 34 `andextend into a lower, transversely extending channel guide 38 secured tothe load carriage 28. Rollers 39 secured to the underside of tbe forks33 land 34 roll on a plate 40 secured to the lower guide 38, and acceptthe thrust between the forks 33 and 34 and tbe load carrier. The forks33 and 34 are adapted to be adjusted transversely relatively to oneanother to vary the spacing there between, or to be moved simultaneouslyin tbe same direction to shift a load carried on the forks transverselyof the trailer by means of rams 41 and "42. Ram 4l is secured at one endto fork 33 and at tbe other end to the load carriage 2S. Ram 42` issecured at one end to fork 34 and at tbe other end to the load carriage28.

The upper portions of tbe uprights 26 and 27 are rigidly secured to theupper and lower frame members 17 and 18, while the lower portions of theuprights 26 and 27 are rigidly secured to wheel supporting frame members43 and te to form an integral trailer unit. Each of the frame members 43and '44 has a pair of wheels 45 and Ii6 pivotally secured thereof forrocking movement about a longitudinal axis. Each wheel of each pair ofwheels is staggered relatively to the other. By this arrangement, whenthe truck crosses a depressed railroad track, or the like, only onewheel of each pair of wheels drops into the depression at one time,thereby minimizing tbe shock to tbe trailer and to a load carried by thetrailer. Jack means 46 are provided at eacb side of tbe trailer, andserve when lowered, as shown in tbe broken lines in FIG. 1, to supportthe front end of the trailer 11 when the trailer is disconnected fromthe tractor 10.

Fluid for operating tbe various rams is supplied from a pump (not shown)which is driven by an engine 48. The engine 48 is conveniently supportedon and secured to the lower frame member 18. Manual controls 49 foroperating each of the various rams are mounted for easy accessibility onthe underside of tbe lower frame work member 18, as shown in FIG. l.

`In utilizing tbe trailer to spot a large container, such as indicatedat C in the drawings, on a railway flat car, the truck, with thecontainer supported on tbe forks 33 and 34 in an elevated position, isbacked up by operation of the tractor in the conventional manner untilthe frame members 43 and 44 and wheels 45 and e6 extend under the flatcar between the wheels W of the flat car and the container C is spottedroughly over the flat car. During such maneuvering the rams `23 and 24are locked in center position thereby locking the parts le and 16 of thetrailer til against relative pivotal movement around pin 19. After thecontainer has been roughly spotted over the flat car, the container maybe quickly and accurately aligned with tbe flat car in the longitudinaldirection by engaging the brakes of tbe tractor l@ and operating therams 23 and 2d to swing the trailer relatively to tbe tractor lttl andto the tiat car. After alignment of the container with the hat car, tbecontainer may be accurately positioned longitudinally of the iiat car byoperation of tbe rams 41 and 42 to shift tbe forks 33 and 34transversely of the trailer the necessary amount. Once accuratelyspotted over the flat car, the container may ybe lowered on to the datcar by operation of the rams 3l and 32.

From tbe preceding description it can be seen that there is provided anovel tractor-trailer construction whereby the trailer may be quicklyand accurately spotted or oriented relatively to a load platform,railway car, or the like, without tedious and time consuming operationor movement of the tractor.

While one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described it isto be understood that this is for the purpose of illustration and thatchanges and modifications may be made therein without departing from thesupport and scope of the invention.

I now claim:

l. in a combination of the class described, a tractor having -a fifthWheel pivot means, a trailer having rear load wheels, bitching means forsaid trailer comprising a member pivoted on a vertical axis at one pointto the forward end of said trailer and pivoted on a vertical axis atanother point on said fifth wheel pivot means, hydraulic ram meansextending between and pivotally connected to said member and saidtrailer for holding said member against pivotal movement relatively tosaid trailer so that said trailer may normally be manipulated by saidtractor as though said'bitcbing means were an integral part of saidtrailer, and tbe admission of fluid into said hydraulic ram meanspivoting said member and trailer relatively to one another for spottingsaid trailer without movement of said tractor.

2. In a combination of tbe class described, a tractor having -a iifthwheel pivot means, a trailer having rear load wheels, bitching means forsaid trailer comprising a member pivoted on a vertical axis at one pointto the forward end of said trailer and pivoted on a vertical axis atanother point on said fifth wheel pivot means, a pair of hydraulic ramseach extending between and pivotally connected to said member and saidtrailer for holding said member against pivotal movement relatively tosaid trailer so that said trailer may normally be manipulated by saidtractor as though said bitching means were integral therewith, and theadmission of iiuid into said rams pivoting said member and trailerrelatively to one another for spotting said trailer without movement ofsaid tractor.

3. In a combination of the class described, a truck having a fifth wheelpivot means, a trailer having a frame, load wheels carried by said framefor supporting the rear end of tbe trailer, a load lifting mechanismsecured to said frame for elevating a load above said frame whereby saidframe and load wheels may be extended beneath a platform to extend aload carried by said load lifting mechanism above said platform,bitching means for said trailer comprising a member pivoted `on avertical axis at one point to tbe forward end of said trailer andpivoted on a vertical axis at another point on said fifth wheel pivotmeans, hydraulic ram means extending between and pivotally connected tosaid member and tbe trailer for holding said member against pivotalmovement relatively to said trailer so that said trailer may normally bemanipulated by said tractor as though said bitching means were anintegral part of said trailer, and the admission of fluid into saidhydraulic ram means pivoting said member and trailer relatively to oneanother for spotting said trailer without movement of said tractor.

4. In a combination of ythe class described, a truck having a fifthwheel pivot means, a trailer having a frame, load wheel carried by saidframe for supporting the rear end of the trailer, a load liftingmechanism secured to said frame for elevating a load above said framewhereby said frame and load wheels may be extended beneath a platform toextend a load carried by said load lifting mechanism above saidplatform, said load lifting mechanism including means for shifting saidload transversely of said trailer whereby to facilitate the spotting of`a load relatively to said platform, bitching means for said trailercomprising a member pivoted on a vertical axis at one point to theforward end of said trailer and pivoted on a vertical axis at anotherpoint on said fifth Wheel pivot means, hydraulic ram means extendingbetween and pivotally connected to said member and the trailer forholding said member `against pivotal movement relatively to said trailerso that -said trailer may normally be manipulated by said tractor asthough said bitching means were an integral part of said trailer, andthe admission of uid into said hydraulic ram means pivoting said memberand trailer relatively to one another for spotting said trailer Withoutmovement of said tractor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,730,376 Martin Jan, l0, 1956 2,833,557 Palmiter May 6, 1958 2,896,734Toth July 28, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 90,019 Norway Sept. 16, 1957

